NHL EDGE stats: Ehlers can be X-factor for Hurricanes in 2026 playoffs

NHL.com's fantasy staff continues to cover the latest trends and storylines in the League through the lens of NHL EDGE) puck and player tracker stats. Today, we identify three strong underlying metrics for Carolina Hurricanes’ forward Nikolaj Ehlers.

1. Shot speed

Carolina Hurricanes forward Nikolaj Ehlers scored the first two goals of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, helping Carolina build an early lead before it eventually lost 5-4 in the series opener to Vegas. Ehlers’ first goal came on his third-hardest shot attempt of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs (84.63 mph); he has now scored two of Carolina's three hardest shots resulting in a goal this postseason (also 84.67 in Game 2 of Eastern Conference Final vs. Montreal Canadiens) behind only Seth Jarvis (84.76 mph in Game 2 of Second Round vs. Philadelphia Flyers).

Ehlers was one of two Hurricanes players with multiple 80-plus mph shot attempts in Game 1 (other: defenseman Alexander Nikishin) after only having seven 80-plus mph shot over his prior 12 games to start this postseason and ranks in the 88th percentile in average shot speed (61.54 mph) during the playoffs. During this regular season, Ehlers was among the forward leaders in both hardest shot (93.63 mph; 94th percentile) and average shot speed (63.86 mph; 97th percentile).

The Hurricanes have scored 13 goals this postseason on shots of at least 70 mph, with Ehlers scoring four of those eight:

• 84.67 mph vs. Canadiens in Game 2
• 84.63 mph vs. Golden Knights in Game 1
• 78.66 mph vs. Flyers in Game 2
• 71.70 mph vs. Flyers in Game 3

2. Skating speed

Ehlers, who’s Denmark’s all-time leader in goals (251), assists (340) and points (591 in 756 games), is in his 11th NHL season, his first with the Hurricanes after signing a six-year contract this offseason (played first 10 seasons with Winnipeg Jets). Ehlers' second goal was the 15th of his playoff career, tying Lars Eller (15 in 116 games) for the most by a Denmark-born player despite playing far fewer games (15 goals in 58 games) and is an X-factor in the Hurricanes’ championship quest because of his speed and finishing ability.

Per NHL EDGE IQ, Ehlers scored both of his goals in Game 1 off the rush, and five of his six goals this postseason have come off the rush; goals off the rush are those scored within five seconds of a team crossing the offensive blue line. Ehlers is tied with Vegas Golden Knights forward Brett Howden (five each) for the most goals scored off the rush during the 2026 playoffs.

Ehlers also has 32 shot attempts off the rush, fourth in the entire NHL and second on Carolina behind Logan Stankoven (38). During the regular season, Carolina led the NHL in goals off the rush (104) and were the only team with more than 100. Ehlers has 44 speed bursts of 20-plus mph this postseason (including at least one in 13 of his 14 playoff games), which ranks second on the team behind Taylor Hall (48).

3. Shot location

Ehlers is tied with Anaheim Ducks forward Mikael Granlund (four each) for the most midrange goals this postseason. Ehlers and Stankoven (three) have combined for seven of the Hurricanes’ League-leading 20 midrange goals this postseason.

Ehlers ranks ninth in the entire NHL and seventh among forwards in offensive zone time percentage (49.6) this postseason. In terms of 5-on-5 shot attempts percentage, Ehlers is tied for seventh among remaining players this postseason (60.5; minimum five games played). It’s also worth noting Ehlers scored 12 go-ahead goals in the regular season, tied for second on the team behind Jarvis (14).

Under coach Rod Brind’Amour, the Hurricanes have made the playoffs in all eight of his seasons (including four conference finals appearances) but have not won the Stanley Cup since he played for them in 2006. Ehlers, meanwhile, is making his first career Stanley Cup Final, and had only reached the Conference Final once before this season (2018 with Jets). 

Although Carolina has fallen short of its ultimate goal in each of those seasons and lacked timely goals in the highest-pressure games, Ehlers and his robust advanced stats could be a difference-maker to help the Hurricanes finally get over the hump.